Scouring device having supporting handle



Sept. 16, 1958 A. M. GooDLoE SCOURING DEVICE HAVING SUPPORTING HANDLE Filed March 22, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N VEN TOR. Z rejf'amlae, BY

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Q C C L c C Sept. 16, 1958 A. M. GooDLoE SCOURING DEVICE HAVING SUPPORTING HANDLE Filed March 22, 1957 2 Sheets-She??l 2 IN VEN TOR. M Gaadoe) SCOURING DEVICE HAVING SUPPORTING HANDLE Alfred M. Goodloe, Westfield, N. J., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Metal Textile Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application March 22, 1957, Serial No. 648,488

Claims. (Cl. 15-209) This invention relates to an improved scouring device comprising an abradant body formed from tubular knit metallic wire mesh and supported by a handle structure by which it can be manipulated in use; the abradant body being preferably, but not necessarily, knitted from flattened or ribbonlike wire, which is adapted to effect mild abrasive or scraping action suitable for scouring and cleaning 4the surfaces of kitchen or like utensils, or other surfaces required to be so treated.

This invention has for an object to provide a handle supported abradant body adapted, in use, to produce a scouring effect; said body being formed from a length of tubular knit metallic wire mesh of selected width initially formed with a succession of transverse accordion type folds which are pierced, substantially through central portions thereof, by a pair of longitudinal core wires, whereby, as said core wires are twisted together, to dispose successive folds in rotatively offset relation one to another; whereafter the core wires are wrought into a loop or annular formation to dispose the supported mesh folds in radial extension around and from the formation, with the ends of the core wires secured to a handle member by which the resultant abradant body is supported for manipulation in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide an abradant body, characterized as above stated, wherein the projecting radial folds of metallic wire mesh are resilient and capable of readily flexing, so that, as the abradant body is pressed against and rubbed over a surface to be scoured, the same will easily conform itself to said surface in efficient scraping and scouring contact therewith; and furthermore so that when said folds of metallic wire mesh are withdrawn from the surface operated upon, the folds will tend to resume normal initial radial extension from the supporting twisted core wires, whereby said folds will separate one from another so that the abradant body can be easily rinsed and thus cleansed to rid the same of dirt and soil which accumulates therein during scouring use thereof.

The invention also electively comprehends the provision of an abradant body, as herein above characterized, wherein the length of tubular knit metallic mesh from which it is formed is provided with transverse corrugations or crimps, whereby, when said length of mesh is accordion folded and mounted on the supporting twisted core wires to form the abradant body, the mass of the latter will be increased, and will provide a relatively soft and yieldably compressible body adapted, under pressure, to effectively spread upon and abradingly engage a surface to which it is applied for scouring effect.

The above and other objects will become apparent from a reading of the following description of this invention in connection with the accompanying drawings of an illustrative embodiment thereof, which drawings more or less schematically delineate the scouring device of this invention, and the steps of the method by which it is produced.

In said drawings:

1' nited States Patent O Fig. 1 is a plan view of tubular knit metallic wire mesh, showing the same as transversely corrugated or crimped preparatory to use thereof in producing the scouring device according to this invention.

Fig. 2 shows a length of the tubular knit metallic wire mesh of Fig. l provided with accordion type folds and pierced, through substantially central portions thereof, by a pair of parallel, longitudinally extending core wires, preparatory to twisting the latter together' into supporting relation to said mesh, the mesh being in section; and Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the same, taken on line 3-3 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 shows the length of accordion folded tubular knit mesh in section, as afxed to and supported by the twisted together core wires; and Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional View of the same, taken on line 5-5 in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a face view of the completed scouring device of this invention as formed by bending the twisted core wires into a loop or annular formation from which the folds of the accordion folded mesh radiate, and with a handle member affixed to the extending free end portions of the twisted core wires.

In order to illustrate the essential characteristics of the scouring implement according to this inventon, the drawings show, in somewhat schematic fashion, certain steps by which the abradant body thereof are produced. The abradant body of the implement is essentially made of tubular knit metallic mesh 10, preferably but not necessarily knitted from flattened or ribbonlike wire, and preferably but not necessarily provided with transverse corrugationsY or crimps 11.

A tubular knit strip of such metallic wire mesh of selected width and adequate length, is folded upon itself to provide the same with a succession of transverse accordion type folds 12, preferably of fold length approximating the width of said strip.

The tubular knit metallic wire mesh strip having been accordion folded, a pair of parallel and suitably spaced apart core wires 13 and 14 are passed through the folded strip so that said core wires extend through substantially central portions of the folds 12 of said strip (see Fig. 2). After the core wires 13 and 14 are thus engaged with the folded mesh strip, said core wires are twisted together, thereby forming opposed bights 15 by which the mesh is gripped, so as to suitably space apart the accordion type folds 12 thereof (see Fig. 4). The twisting together of the core wires 13 and 14- tends to relatively rotate successive folds 12 of the mesh, so that the same are progressively angularly offset in relation one to another of the succession thereof (see Fig. 5).

Upon completion of the assembly of the accordion folded mesh in the above described supported relation to and by the twisted core wires 13 and 14, said twisted core Wires are bent into a loop or annular formation, with free end portions 13 and 14' thereof brought together in parallel relation and in radial extension from said loop or annular formation, so that the same can, of themselves, provide an extending handle means by which the implement can be manipulated in use. Preferably, however, the end portions 13-14 are inserted in and axed to a handle member of suitable shape (see Fig. 6).

Upon completion of the scouring device as above set forth, the folds 12 of the abradant body will be disposed radially across the supporting twisted together core wires of the loop or annular formation thereof, whereby outer end portions of the folds will be normally somewhat spaced apart around said formation.l To thus disposed, said outer end portions of the folds 12 will be resiliently flexible, so that, when the abradant body is pressed against and rubbed over a surface to be scoured, the same will easily conform itself to said surface in contact with a substantial area thereof for eicient scraping and scouring engagement therewith; furthermore, when withdrawn from said surface and released from pressure, the outer end portions of the folds of the abradant body will resume their normal radial extension from the supporting core wires, whereby to open out for easy rinsing and cleansing.

The abradant body, being composed of mesh knitted from continuous metallic wire, is splinterless, so that shedding of metallic particles is avoided, and, due to the curved disposition of the knit loops of the mesh, especially when said mesh is knitted from flattened or ribbonlike metallic wire, a multiplicity of scraping edges are projected which assure an abrasive scouring action of high eiciency.

Since the abradant body of the scouring implement is supported by a handle extension, said body can be conveniently manipulated without necessity for dipping the users hand in detergent impregnated or soapy water.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

l. A scouring implement comprising a strip of metallic wire mesh of substantial width folded upon itself to provide a succession of transverse accordion type folds, a pair of longitudinal core wires extending through substantially central portions of said folds, said core wires being twisted together whereby to grip the mesh folds between bights thereof, whereby successive folds are relatively rotatively displaced, said twisted core wires being bent into an annular formation, whereby said mesh folds are supported in radial extension across the twisted core wires and around said formation to provide flexible radial sections, and handle means extending from said formation.

2. A scouring implement comprising a strip of tubular knit metallic wire mesh of substantial width folded upon itself to provide a succession of transverse accordion type folds, a pair of longitudinal core wires extending through substantially central portions of said folds, said core wires being twisted together whereby to grip the mesh folds between bights' thereof, whereby successive folds are rotatively displaced in relation one to another, said twisted core wires being bent into an annular formation, whereby said mesh folds are supported in radial extension across the twisted core wires and around said formation to provide exible radial sections, and handle means extending from said formation.v

3. A scouring implement according to claim 2 wherein the tubular knit strip is knitted from flattened ribbonlike metallic wire.

4. A scouring implement comprising a strip of tubular knit metallic wire mesh of substantial width having transverse corrugate crimps along the length thereof, said strip being folded upon itself to provide a succession of transverse accordion type folds, a pair of longitudinal core wires extending through substantially central portions of said folds, said core wires being twisted together whereby to grip the mesh folds between bights thereof, whereby successive folds are rotatively displaced in relation one to another, said twisted core Wires being bent into an annular formation, whereby said mesh folds are supported in radial extension across the twisted core wires and around said formation to provide exible radial sections, and handle means extending from said formation.

5. A scouring implement according to claim 4 wherein the tubular knit strip is knitted from flattened ribbonlike metallic wire.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 750,280 Heimann Jan. 26, 1904 1,839,240 Mayer Jan. 5, 1926 2,308,568 Rogers Jan. 19, 1943 

